stylite

noun /ˈstʌɪlʌɪt/

1. A Christian ascetic in ancient times who lived alone on top of a tall pillar.

   historical

   Daniel, the famous stylite of the city, actually descended from his pillar for the first time in fifteen years, terrifying Basiliscus into the withdrawal of his edict.

Where it comes from

From Ecclesiastical Greek στυλίτης (stulítēs), from Ancient Greek στῦλος (stûlos, “pillar”).

Adapted from the Wiktionary entry stylite (CC BY-SA 4.0).

← stultystylobate →

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